Meet Imani Barnes of I Can Become Anything in Decatur

Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Barnes.

Imani, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I graduated in 2004 from South Carolina State University with a BS degree in Biology and Chemistry. After graduation, I began working immediately with some of the most amazing research projects. I am a detail-oriented biomedical research professional with a passion for research.

As a research technician at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, I am surrounded by research professionals including some of the most renowned biomedical research scientists in the world. It made me wonder why, with so many dedicated people that want to make the world a better place, there still are so many preventable public health issues in our society today. That hunger led me to enter graduate school where I am currently pursuing my MS degree in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health and hold a 3.95 GPA. My desire to understand how diseases that I have been working with for years are controlled in society is what led me to pursue a career in public and global health. I want to understand the course of action needed to help reduce statistics in underprivileged communities. My plan is to research and present viable solutions to high morbidity rates from preventable diseases in lower-income communities.

I started I Can Become Anything in efforts to inspire and develop the youth in my community. Teen crime and violence in Atlanta is at an all-time high and news reports on this issue are becoming more frequent. I wanted to find a way to prevent teen crime and violence before it starts by engaging in our youth and providing them with tools and resources to help them become more confident and successful. My over 14 years of extensive background in a controlled research environment will be invaluable in making this possible. I have the ambition of superwoman and wish I could save the world.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It by far has not been a smooth road. My path is more described as a roller coaster than a smooth road. I am a single parent, in my last year of graduate school, working a full-time job, while running a business. This type of commitment requires, prayer, faith (which my name means), strength, ambition, passion, drive, hustle, COFFEE, and most of the times, very long nights where you have to make yourself stop working and go to bed. My mother instilled a deep faith and belief in God in me, so when things get tough, I leave it up to him.

My struggles have been basically finding the time to complete all of my commitments while still remembering to properly eat, relax and take care of self.

I Can Become Anything – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is called “I Can Become Anything.”

I started I Can Become Anything in efforts to inspire and develop the youth in my community. I was tired of seeing our youth being non- productive, in gangs, and committing crimes. Sometimes all it takes to change those behaviors is to have a positive mentor that relates to them and guides them.

We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community by uplifting our next generation to be the best they can be. By Using data-driven models, and peer-reviewed research from academic journals, we provide solutions for our youth that makes a long-lasting difference. The use of peer-reviewed research sets us apart from others. For many reasons, not all teens want to go to college directly after high school graduation. We at I.C.B.A. will develop your teen for workforce entry in a competitive job market.

My programs are directed towards teens 13 -18 years of age. They will get a personal development plan that may involve motivational activities, positive mentors, teen group sessions, community service, workforce development and more. The group activities will help build individual self- esteem and teamwork while also encouraging them to know how to handle peer pressure and bullying appropriately and constructively.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
A proud moment for me would be seeing my visions, ideas, and prayers actually be reality now.
The proudest moment of my career would have to be getting the very 1st Envigo John Duktig Leadership Award at the 2019 South Eastern American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SEAALAS) conference in the memory of John Duktig. This award was meant for a person that demonstrated commitment to obtaining and promoting training for self and other staff, demonstrates leadership and mentorship skills, and is involved in the coordination of an innovative staff training and development program. I work hard at all of these tasks, but to be awarded for my efforts and hard work was definitely a huge blessing and honor for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: icanbecomeanything.com
• Phone: 404-669-6145
• Email: icanbecomeanything1@gmail.com
• Instagram: @icanbecomeanything
• Facebook: @ICBALLC

Image Credit:
J. Aundrea Studios

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